Russian aerial strikes on Zaporizhzhia kill at least eight people

Russian strikes hit the southeastern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia on Saturday, killing at least eight people, including three children. Euronews and France 24 both reported that at least eight people died in the attack, while the Irish Times reported seven fatalities. Ukrainian national police said Russian forces targeted residential areas with five guided aerial bombs, hitting blocks of flats, Euronews reported. [1][2][4]

The bombardment left a further 16 people injured, according to regional governor Ivan Fedorov, as cited by Euronews. Search and rescue operations remain ongoing for 12 people who are unaccounted for. Fedorov stated on Telegram that two of the injured are in critical condition, while most others remain in moderate condition, Euronews reported. [1]

The attacks occurred a day after United States President Donald Trump announced a deal to purchase Russian diesel, according to the Irish Times. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that the agreement plays into Russia's hands, as reported by the Irish Times and Sky News. Al Jazeera reported that Ukraine struck a Russian fuel site shortly after the agreement was announced. [4][5][9]

Officials from the United States, Ukraine, and Europe met in Miami on Saturday for fresh peace talks aimed at finding a path to end the conflict, France 24 reported. Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, causing tens of thousands of civilian casualties and creating Europe's largest refugee crisis since World War II. [2][12]